Heat set container

ABSTRACT

A heat set container including a base portion, a shoulder portion, and a sidewall portion extending from the shoulder portion to the base portion. The shoulder portion, the sidewall portion and the base portion cooperate to define a receptacle chamber within the container into which product can be filled. A plurality of vacuum panels are equidistantly disposed about the sidewall portion. A plurality of transition lands are disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of vacuum panels and spaced outwardly relative thereto. The plurality of vacuum panels and the plurality of transition lands cooperate to be inwardly collapsible from a first outside diameter to a second outside diameter in response to at least internal vacuum forces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/294,904, filed on Jan. 14, 2010. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to containers for retaining acommodity, such as a solid or liquid commodity. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to a heat-set, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)container having a plurality of vertically oriented collapsible ribfeatures capable of forming a reinforced container when under vacuum.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

As a result of environmental and other concerns, plastic containers,more specifically polyester and even more specifically polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) containers are now being used more than ever topackage numerous commodities previously supplied in glass containers.Manufacturers and fillers, as well as consumers, have recognized thatPET containers are lightweight, inexpensive, recyclable andmanufacturable in large quantities.

Blow-molded plastic containers have become commonplace in packagingnumerous commodities. PET is a crystallizable polymer, meaning that itis available in an amorphous form or a semi-crystalline form. Theability of a PET container to maintain its material integrity relates tothe percentage of the PET container in crystalline form, also known asthe “crystallinity” of the PET container. The following equation definesthe percentage of crystallinity as a volume fraction:

${\%\mspace{14mu}{Crystallinity}} = {\left( \frac{\rho - \rho_{a}}{\rho_{c} - \rho_{a}} \right) \times 100}$where ρ is the density of the PET material; ρ_(a) is the density of pureamorphous PET material (1.333 g/cc); and ρ_(c) is the density of purecrystalline material (1.455 g/cc).

Container manufacturers use mechanical processing and thermal processingto increase the PET polymer crystallinity of a container. Mechanicalprocessing involves orienting the amorphous material to achieve strainhardening. This processing commonly involves stretching an injectionmolded PET preform along a longitudinal axis and expanding the PETpreform along a transverse or radial axis to form a PET container. Thecombination promotes what manufacturers define as biaxial orientation ofthe molecular structure in the container. Manufacturers of PETcontainers currently use mechanical processing to produce PET containershaving approximately 20% crystallinity in the container's sidewall.

Thermal processing involves heating the material (either amorphous orsemi-crystalline) to promote crystal growth. On amorphous material,thermal processing of PET material results in a spherulitic morphologythat interferes with the transmission of light. In other words, theresulting crystalline material is opaque, and thus, generallyundesirable. Used after mechanical processing, however, thermalprocessing results in higher crystallinity and excellent clarity forthose portions of the container having biaxial molecular orientation.The thermal processing of an oriented PET container, which is known asheat setting, typically includes blow molding a PET preform against amold heated to a temperature of approximately 250° F.-350° F.(approximately 121° C.-177° C.), and holding the blown container againstthe heated mold for approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds.Manufacturers of PET juice bottles, which must be hot-filled atapproximately 185° F. (85° C.), currently use heat setting to producePET bottles having an overall crystallinity in the range ofapproximately 25%-35%.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to the principles of the present teachings, a heat setcontainer is provided having a base portion, a shoulder portion, and asidewall portion extending from the shoulder portion to the baseportion. The shoulder portion, the sidewall portion and the base portioncooperate to define a receptacle chamber within the container into whichproduct can be filled. A plurality of vacuum panels are equidistantlydisposed about the sidewall portion, wherein, in some embodiments, eachof the plurality of vacuum panels is concave when viewed incross-section. A plurality of transition lands are disposed betweenadjacent ones of the plurality of vacuum panels and spaced outwardlyrelative thereto. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of vacuumpanels is generally flat having concave transition lands therebetween.The plurality of vacuum panels and the plurality of transition landscooperate to be inwardly collapsible from a first outside diameter to asecond outside diameter in response to at least internal vacuum forces.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith additional embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith additional embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container taken alongline 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container taken alongline 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plastic container constructed inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the container of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of the container taken along line 11-11of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a plastic container constructed inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the container of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the container taken along line 14-14of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross-section view of the container taken along line 16-16of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a cross-section view of the container taken along line 18-18of FIG. 17 in a relaxed position;

FIG. 19 is a cross-section view of the container taken along line 18-18of FIG. 17 in a collapsed position;

FIG. 20 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a side view of the container of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a cross-section view of the container taken along line 24-24of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a cross-section view of the container taken along line 25-25of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a cross-section view of the container taken along line 26-26of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a front view of a plastic container constructed in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 34 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 33.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to thosewho are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth suchas examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide athorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need notbe employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”,“connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”,“lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

This disclosure provides for a container having a flexible orcollapsible base, sidewalls, and/or shoulder regions effectivelyabsorbing the internal vacuum forces resulting from a hot-filloperation. The container of the present teachings controls and reducesresidual internal forces, increases top-load capability, allows formaterial weight reduction, and provides improved ergonomic gripping. Thecontainer can be described as having a plurality of vertical columnsextending substantially along its longitudinal length that arecollapsible under vacuum to form a smaller and stronger containermember.

It should be appreciated that the size and the number of vacuum panelsand vertical columns are dependent on the size of the container and therequired vacuum absorption. Therefore, it should be recognized thatvariations can exist in the present embodiments. Specifically, accordingto some embodiments, a single-serving container can comprise threevacuum panels extending longitudinally along the container and arrangedabout the circumference of the container. In alternative embodiments,additional vacuum panels can be used in a similar, equidistantarrangement.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-34, the present teachings provide a one-pieceplastic, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET), container generallyindicated at 10. The container 10 is substantially elongated when viewedfrom a side. Those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate thatthe following teachings of the present disclosure are applicable toother containers, such as rectangular, triangular, pentagonal,hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, or square shaped containers, which mayhave different dimensions and volume capacities. It is also contemplatedthat other modifications can be made depending on the specificapplication and environmental requirements.

As shown in FIGS. 1-34, the one-piece plastic container 10 according tothe present teachings defines a body 12, and includes an upper portion14 having a cylindrical sidewall forming a finish 20. Integrally formedwith the finish 20 and extending downward therefrom is a shoulderportion 22. The shoulder portion 22 merges into and provides atransition between the finish 20 and a sidewall portion 24. The sidewallportion 24 extends downward from the shoulder portion 22 to a baseportion 28 having a base 30. In some embodiments, sidewall portion 24can extend down and nearly abut base 30, thereby minimizing the overallarea of base portion 28 such that there is not a discernable baseportion 28 when container 10 is uprightly-placed on a surface.

The exemplary container 10 may also have a neck 23 (FIG. 3). The neck 23may have an extremely short height, that is, becoming a short extensionfrom the finish 20, or an elongated height, extending between the finish20 and the shoulder portion 22. The upper portion 14 can define anopening for filling and dispensing of a commodity stored therein.Although the container is shown as a drinking container, it should beappreciated that containers having different shapes, such as sidewallsand openings, can be made according to the principles of the presentteachings.

Although not shown, the finish 20 of the plastic container 10 mayinclude a threaded region having threads, a lower sealing ridge, and asupport ring. The threaded region provides a means for attachment of asimilarly threaded closure or cap (not illustrated). Alternatives mayinclude other suitable devices that engage the finish 20 of the plasticcontainer 10, such as a press-fit or snap-fit cap for example.Accordingly, the closure or cap (not illustrated) engages the finish 20to preferably provide a hermetical seal of the plastic container 10. Theclosure or cap (not illustrated) is preferably of a plastic or metalmaterial conventional to the closure industry and suitable forsubsequent thermal processing.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-34, shoulder portion 22, sidewall portion 24,and base portion 28 of the present teachings will now be described ingreater detail. As discussed herein, shoulder portion 22, sidewallportion 24, and base portion 28 can each separately, collectively, or invarious combinations comprise vertically oriented collapsible columns60. In some embodiments, the vertically oriented collapsible columns 60can extend the length of the container (see FIGS. 1-8, 17-26, and31-34), the associated section (i.e. shoulder portion 22, sidewallportion 24, and/or base portion 28; see FIGS. 12-16), and/or a subsetportion of the container. The vertically oriented collapsible columns 60can effectively absorb and/or aid in the absorbing of the internalvacuum resulting from hot-filling of a commodity into container 10 whilecollapsing in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of thecontainer. Shoulder portion 22, sidewall portion 24, and base portion 28can be arranged such that collapsible columns 60 are equidistantlyarranged about container 10 when viewed from above. Such symmetricalarrangement provides aesthetic qualities and improves grip performance.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-8, in some embodiments, collapsiblecolumns 60 of shoulder portion 22, sidewall portion 24, and/or baseportion 28 can each comprise a vacuum panel 70 having transition lands72 disposed therebetween. Vacuum panels 70 each define a smooth surfacethat in some embodiments can extend uninterrupted from and includingshoulder portion 22 to and including base portion 28. In someembodiments, vacuum panels 70 can each define a smooth surface thatextends uninterrupted from and including sidewall portion 24 to andincluding base portion 28. Similarly, in some embodiments, vacuum panels70 can each define a smooth surface that extends uninterrupted alongsidewall portion 24.

In some embodiments, vacuum panels 70 can be generally continuous. Thatis, vacuum panels 70 can define an unobstructed surface, albeit flat,planar, arcuate, or otherwise contoured (see FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 10, 17, 22,and the like). However, in some embodiments, vacuum panels 70 cancomprise one or more intersecting surfaces 70 a, 70 b (see FIG. 20) thatcan be joined to define a vacuum panel moveable in response to anapplied vacuum force. Still further, it should be recognized that vacuumpanels 70 and transition lands 72, in some embodiments, can be columnarshaped. Alternatively, in some embodiments, vacuum panels 70 andtransition lands 72 can define a non-columnar shape, such as a dropletshape (see FIGS. 22-34).

In some embodiments, vacuum panels 70 can comprise an arcuate shape(i.e. concave or convex, or a combination thereof) or be generally flatwhen viewed from a side and a concave shape when viewed in cross-section(FIG. 7). With reference to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, vacuum panels70 defines a first concave shape when in a first or relaxed condition(line A) and defines a second concave shape when in a flexed orunder-vacuum condition (line B). In this way, the second concave shapecan have a smaller radius R_(B) that defines greater indenture comparedto the larger radius R_(A) of the first concave shape in response tovacuum forces. The smaller radius R_(B) produces a greater concaveresponse of vacuum panels 70 that produces an inwardly directeddeflection of vacuum panels 70. This inwardly directed deflection causestransition lands 72 to correspondingly deflect inwardly (line B)compared to their relaxed condition (line A) causing the overalldiameter of container 10 to reduce from an initial diameter D_(A) to afinal diameter D_(B). This reduced diameter of D_(B), irrespective ofthe specific outer shape of the container (i.e. pentagonal, hexagonal,etc.), increases hoop strength and thus results in improved verticalstiffness. The result is an increase in top-load strength that benefitssecondary packaging and palletizing. That is, the smaller the diameterof container 10, the greater the top-loading capability. Additionally,the reduced diameter D_(B) and the increased defined angle betweenvacuum panels 70 and transition lands 72 promotes improved tactilequality and easier consumer handling.

With particular reference to FIGS. 17-19, in some embodiments, container10 can comprise generally flat or planar vacuum panels 70 being joinedwith adjacent, generally concave transition lands 72 (see as-blownconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 18). However, in response tohot-filling and the resultant internal vacuum forces, container 10 cancollapse to absorb the internal vacuum forces, thereby resulting in, asillustrated in FIG. 19, concave vacuum panels 70 and generally planartransition lands 72. In this way, as a result of the collapsing process,vacuum panels 70 change from planar shaped to concaved shaped andtransition lands 72 change from concaved shaped to planar shaped, whenviewed in cross-section.

In some embodiments, vacuum panels 70 can extend upwardly and join ashoulder panel 74 along an edge 76. Shoulder panel 74 can be concave,sloped upwardly, and shaped generally in a semi-circle. Shoulder panel74 can be set below lands 78 of shoulder portion 22, thereby resultingin an upstanding continuation of transition lands 72, generallyindicated at 80. In some embodiments, upstanding continuation 80 can besimilarly dimensioned as transition lands 72 to form a singular,vertically-oriented support rib of column 60.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, base portion 28 cancomprise a base 30. In some embodiments, base 30 can comprise a supportsurface 84 for supporting container 10 upon a shelf or tabletop. In someembodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, support surface 84 canspecifically include a ring portion 86 contactable with the shelf ortabletop and a remaining upswept surface portion 88 extending upwardlyand outwardly to join sidewall portion 24. In some embodiments, upsweptsurface portion 88 is arcuately shaped such that it articulates upwardlyin response to collapse of sidewall portion 24 during cooling. That is,as sidewall portion 24 contracts to a smaller diameter, upswept surfaceportion 88 can similarly collapse to a tighter upswept shape without theneed to use a crease or folding edge in base 30, thereby resulting in asmooth and non-binding movement. In some embodiments, as seen in FIGS.4-6, base 30 can comprise a substantially planar surface extending toand connected with sidewall portion 24. A pushup portion 90 can becentrally disposed within base portion 28 for additional accommodationof internal vacuum forces.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, base portion 28can further comprise base panels 92 joining vacuum panels 70 along anedge 94. Base panels 92 can be concave, sloped downwardly and inwardly,and shaped generally in a semi-circle. Base panel 92 can be set belowlands 96 of base portion 28, thereby defining an upstanding continuationof transition lands 72, generally indicated at 98. In some embodiments,upstanding continuation 98 can be similarly dimensioned as transitionlands 72 to form a singular, vertically-oriented support rib of column60.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, 12-13, transitionpanels 100 can be used to transition from vacuum panel 70 to adjacentstructures or surfaces. For example, in some embodiments as illustratedin FIGS. 12-13, transition panels 100 can comprise a series of arcuatesurfaces transitioning from a concave vacuum panel 70 to a generallycircular body portion 12. Moreover, in some embodiments, vacuum panel 70can comprise one or more additional vacuum features 71 (see FIG. 15) forcontrolled absorption of vacuum forces.

The plastic container 10 has been designed to retain a commodity. Thecommodity may be in any form such as a solid or semi-solid product. Inone example, a commodity may be introduced into the container during athermal process, typically a hot-fill process. For hot-fill bottlingapplications, bottlers generally fill the container 10 with a product atan elevated temperature between approximately 155° F. to 205° F.(approximately 68° C. to 96° C.) and seal the container 10 with aclosure (not illustrated) before cooling. In addition, the plasticcontainer 10 may be suitable for other high-temperature pasteurizationor retort filling processes or other thermal processes as well. Inanother example, the commodity may be introduced into the containerunder ambient temperatures.

The plastic container 10 of the present disclosure is a blow molded,biaxially oriented container with a unitary construction from a singleor multi-layer material. A well-known stretch-molding, heat-settingprocess for making the one-piece plastic container 10 generally involvesthe manufacture of a preform (not shown) of a polyester material, suchas polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having a shape well known to thoseskilled in the art similar to a test-tube with a generally cylindricalcross section. An exemplary method of manufacturing the plasticcontainer 10 will be described in greater detail later.

An exemplary method of forming the container 10 will be described. Apreform version of container 10 includes a support ring, which may beused to carry or orient the preform through and at various stages ofmanufacture. For example, the preform may be carried by the supportring, the support ring may be used to aid in positioning the preform ina mold cavity, or the support ring may be used to carry an intermediatecontainer once molded. At the outset, the preform may be placed into themold cavity such that the support ring is captured at an upper end ofthe mold cavity. In general, the mold cavity has an interior surfacecorresponding to a desired outer profile of the blown container. Morespecifically, the mold cavity according to the present teachings definesa body forming region, an optional moil forming region and an optionalopening forming region. Once the resultant structure, hereinafterreferred to as an intermediate container, has been formed, any moilcreated by the moil forming region may be severed and discarded. Itshould be appreciated that the use of a moil forming region and/oropening forming region are not necessarily in all forming methods.

In one example, a machine (not illustrated) places the preform heated toa temperature between approximately 190° F. to 250° F. (approximately88° C. to 121° C.) into the mold cavity. The mold cavity may be heatedto a temperature between approximately 250° F. to 350° F. (approximately121° C. to 177° C.). A stretch rod apparatus (not illustrated) stretchesor extends the heated preform within the mold cavity to a lengthapproximately that of the intermediate container thereby molecularlyorienting the polyester material in an axial direction generallycorresponding with the central longitudinal axis of the container 10.While the stretch rod extends the preform, air having a pressure between300 PSI to 600 PSI (2.07 MPa to 4.14 MPa) assists in extending thepreform in the axial direction and in expanding the preform in acircumferential or hoop direction thereby substantially conforming thepolyester material to the shape of the mold cavity and furthermolecularly orienting the polyester material in a direction generallyperpendicular to the axial direction, thus establishing the biaxialmolecular orientation of the polyester material in most of theintermediate container. The pressurized air holds the mostly biaxialmolecularly oriented polyester material against the mold cavity for aperiod of approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds before removal ofthe intermediate container from the mold cavity. This process is knownas heat setting and results in a heat-resistant container suitable forfilling with a product at high temperatures.

Alternatively, other manufacturing methods, such as for example,extrusion blow molding, one step injection stretch blow molding andinjection blow molding, using other conventional materials including,for example, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN), a PET/PEN blend or copolymer, and various multilayerstructures may be suitable for the manufacture of plastic container 10.Those having ordinary skill in the art will readily know and understandplastic container manufacturing method alternatives.

According to the principles of the present teachings, container 10 iscapable of providing a number of advantages not found in the prior art.Specifically, the principles of the present teachings provide acontainer having vertically oriented collapsible columns extending thelength thereof that effectively absorb the internal vacuum whilecollapsing in overall size, which leads to increased hoop strength andtop-loading capability. Unlike conventional containers, the collapse ofthe container 10 in response to internal vacuum forces can occur in theshoulder portion 22, sidewall portion 24, and base portion 28. In someembodiments, this collapse can be along continuous columns 60. Thisresults in low or non residual vacuum inside the container aftercooling, which decreases the risk of deformation, ovalization, denting,and other defects associated with the internal vacuum forces generatedby hot-filled beverages. Moreover, the decrease in residual vacuumcombined with the increase in top-load strength may lead to a reductionin thermoplastic material thickness and weight, providing a lower costcontainer to improve sustainability without sacrificing containerperformance.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features ofa particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat set container comprising: a base portion; a shoulder portion; a sidewall portion extending from said shoulder portion to said base portion, said shoulder portion, said sidewall portion and said base portion cooperating to define a receptacle chamber within said container into which product can be filled; and a plurality of vacuum panels equidistantly disposed about said sidewall portion; and a plurality of transition lands disposed between adjacent ones of said plurality of vacuum panels, each of said plurality of transition lands being spaced outwardly relative to said plurality of vacuum panels, wherein said plurality of vacuum panels and said plurality of transition lands cooperate to be inwardly collapsible from a first outside diameter to a second outside diameter in response to at least internal vacuum forces, said second diameter being less than said first diameter; and wherein each of said plurality of vacuum panels moves from a generally planar shape to a concave shape in response to vacuum forces and each of said plurality of transition lands moves from a concave shape to a generally planar shape in response to said vacuum forces when viewed in cross-section.
 2. The heat set container according to claim 1 wherein each of said transition lands comprises a radiused cross-section, each of said transition lands varying from a first radius to a second radius in response to the vacuum forces, said second radius being smaller than said first radius.
 3. The heat set container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of vacuum panels and at least one of said plurality of transition lands defines a collapsible member, said collapsible member extending longitudinally along said sidewall and said shoulder portion.
 4. The heat set container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of vacuum panels and at least one of said plurality of transition lands defines a collapsible member, said collapsible member extending longitudinally along said sidewall and said base portion.
 5. The heat set container according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of vacuum panels and at least one of said plurality of transition lands defines a collapsible member, said collapsible member extending longitudinally along said shoulder portion, said sidewall, and said base portion.
 6. The heat set container according to claim 1 wherein said base portion comprises an upswept surface coupled to said sidewall portion, said upswept surface articulating upward in response to internal vacuum forces.
 7. The heat set container according to claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of vacuum panels comprises a radiused cross-section, said vacuum panels varying from a first radius to a second radius in response to the vacuum forces, said second radius being smaller than said first radius. 